A WOMAN who fought off a man who tried to rape her on Valentine’s Day has finally seen justice done after he was jailed.

Terry McBride, 25, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday (September 26) after he was convicted of attempted rape earlier this year.

The court heard how the woman in her 40s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, managed to fight off McBride after he attacked her in Valentine’s Park on the morning of February 14.

She first noticed her attacker sitting near a pond in the Ilford park, but as she walked passed him he forced her to the ground and climbed on top of her.

Despite him being 6ft tall and “heavily built”, the victim managed to free her right hand and punch her attacker in the face before biting the hand he had around her mouth.

The woman then screamed, startling McBride, who said: “I'm not going to do anything, I will let you go,” the court heard.

After he let her go, he walked away in the direction of Gants Hill.

But despite just being attacked, the woman “bravely and courageously” followed her attacker while on the phone to police, scaring him and forcing him to run off.

He was then traced and arrested on February 18.

Redbridge Police’s DI John Delaney said: “"I must praise the victim's courage - she tenaciously fought off her attacker and then bravely followed him.

“McBride is a big man, of a heavy build and over 6ft tall, but the victim turned the tables and forced him to flee from her.

“This was a violent and cowardly attack at the hands of complete stranger and a long prison sentence is justified and appropriate.”